Every time I post an Instagram photo, I always see comments asking about what filter I use or how I got the lighting just right. Instagram is no doubt my favorite app. But the truth is that—as any avid Instagrammer knows—it often takes about 10 tries to get the perfect photo. There are also a few trusty tricks I turn to when I go to post an Instagram. And today, I’ll be sharing these tips for the first time ever with all of you. I’ve enlisted my favorite photographer Yoni Goldberg to add his two cents as well, so you can pretty much consider these tips professional.

Without further ado, here are eight tips for taking the perfect Instagram photo…

1. Get the right crop.One of the best things Yoni has taught me is that Instagrams don’t always have to be square. While I prefer most of mine to be squared off, I do think some photos can look much better when they are horizontal or vertical. “There’s a reason why the 35mm film camera’s negative has a 2×3 aspect ratio,” says Yoni. “Landscape (horizontal) images are simply more appealing to the eye.” There are many apps out there to help you size a horizontal image appropriately for Instagram while keeping the background clean. Try using Whitagram or Afterlight.

2. Get the right composition.While I do like the way a centered photo feels, I sometimes find that my photos can become more interesting when the subject is not placed right in the middle. To find the right composition, I use the lines on the screen when I open up the camera because they divide the screen into thirds both horizontally and vertically. I learned about the “rule of thirds” in my high school photography class and have used it ever since! The rule of thirds just means that your images will create more energy and interest if you place your subject along these lines or at their intersections. Click here to learn more about how to make your photos fit into the rule of thirds. And give it a try!

3. Get it straight.The straightening tool is one of my favorite Instagram features that many people just skip over. But once you discover it, it can become your new best friend. I use the straightening tool when there is a horizon line through the photo, like a sunset, the base of a wall, or a beach. A photo with a straight horizon looks so much better. And once you’ve straightened a photo yourself, you will begin to take notice when other photos look a little crooked.

4. Get the right lighting.When it comes to taking a photo, there’s nothing more beautiful than natural light. I rarely ever use the flash on my phone, and I find that my photos turn out better when I have soft, natural light. One of my favorite tips for getting the lighting right in a photo is playing around with where your camera is focusing. For example, if you tap on the screen when you’re setting up your shot, you will notice that the place you tap your finger is where the lens focuses. Tapping on the darkest area of the photo will add the most light into your lens. Try tapping on different areas until your lighting and focus are just right.

5. Get the right filter.When Instagram first became popular I think everyone went a little filter crazy. I often take a step back and see if I even need a filter at all. I get asked frequently “What filter is that?” when in fact there isn’t a filter. Yoni says that there seems to be a misconception that photographers have filters that they are simply putting over everything. But the not-so-sexy truth is that there isn’t a one-button way to make an image beautiful. I have a few editing apps that I like to use on my phone (namely one called Snapseed) but I don’t often use filters. You’d be amazed at how far small changes in contrast, temperature, and saturation can go. When I do use an Instagram filter, I like to keep things simple and stick to Nashville or Valencia.

6. Get the right background.If I’m going to be Instagramming an object, I like to look for simple, neutral backgrounds. I like backgrounds that are a soft color or white because they allow the subject to become the focal point of the image. Think of yourself as an artist painting a still life: You would never paint a busy background if you wanted a bouquet of flowers to stand out. As in most things in life, just keep it simple.

7. Get the right caption.I am a fan of using a pun or a play on words when thinking up a caption. In general, make your caption count. Some people pay more attention to creating a beautiful photo than writing a meaningful caption, and that’s OK. It is a photo-sharing app, after all! If you can’t think of something to say about your photo, you can always turn to using fun Emojis (guilty!).

8. Less is more.Like I said above, just keep it simple. The best Instagrams on my feed usually don’t require much thought to figure out what’s happening in the photo. These tips may seem like a lot to think about, but when it all comes down to it, just do what you think looks best and what represents your personal style. Don’t over think the process too much… it should be fun!

Do you have any tips for taking the perfect photo?

Leave a link to your Instagram account below. I would love to check it out!

These are great tips! I’m definitely guilty of going filter crazy when I first started using Instagram, but now I stick to Valencia or Walden because they are the most natural. The Afterlight app is one of the best apps on my phone, I love it.
Tash x

instagram.com/tashljohnson
pompombonbon.blogspot.co.uk

Linda Sung

instagram.com/lindqsunq

And She Laughs

I just downloaded Afterlight and it has changed my phone picture experience! I rarely use filters, but I’m with you on Valencia! Definitely the best!

Lowri

I love Instagram & my favourite app to go with it is After Light as it has the best filters, a little softer and more natural than Insta!
Thanks for the tips!

instagram.com/lowriangharad

keepingitcaj

Thanks for the tips! Your Instagram profile is one of my favourites for inspiration. I always gravitate toward Nashville or Walden for the soft and flattering muting of colour.

instagram.com/carlyaparsons
keepingitcaj.com

Cristina Gomez

Great tips! Thanks for sharing them. When I take a photo I follow pretty much the same rules as you do: I use the rule of thirds, I never use the flash, I straighten a photo when needed and try to get the right lighting. I agree with you in that it is not always necessary to use a filter. I used to use them all the time in the beginning -for some reason photos with a filter looked more professional to me- but now I avoid them unless the light of the photo is not good enough. My favorite filters are Valencia, Amaro and Earlybird.

Thanks, Lauren! Great tips. instagram was a graphic designers nightmare when it first came out. It felt like an easy way out but now I have grown to appreciate the filter on demand feature. I agree with you though – the best “filter” is natural light. My insta handle is Instagram.com/reenakadakia.

http://aladygoeswest.com/ Ashley @ A Lady Goes West

Excellent tips. Thanks!

Grace evans

I loved this! Great tips. A lot of them are things I try and do often. I truly love your Instagram because you do take the time to make your photos pretty with the light you choose among other things. Thanks for the post!
lhttp://instagram.com/cgevans2
Grace

One of my favorite tips is to crop all my photos so there is a significant white border around them. I do this because it creates a very clean, streamlined look to my feed as a whole. I do this in afterlight, which is by far my favorite editing app. I agree with all of your tips…especially the importance of finding the perfect light. The best photos require very little manipulation in post processing. Feel free to check out my feed – http://instagram.com/brookelouisephoto

Great tips! And yes, sometimes when I just adjust the contrast, exposure, etc. my photo turns out much better and I don’t need a filter! Otherwise I use Vscocam and Afterlight. I like them because you can adjust the amount the filter is applied to your photo, rather than Instagram’s filters which apply the filter 100%. Also, cropping I think is the most important! Make a statement with your photos, but keep them simple!

Instagram is probably my favourite app. I just completed the 100 happy days challenge where I had to post every day, I think it’s a great way to challenge yourself into making better images. http://instagram.com/hollysparkle

Yes! Thank you for including the straighten feature. I love that Instagram added this to the new version…I used to use other photo apps (like Camera+) to straighten, but now it’s even easier. Also, the “Clarity PRO” feature in Camera+ is a great way to brighten and enhance pictures without adding filters!

I usually use HDR filter for most of my recent IG photos and I always make sure I pick the right background for any photos I take. If I don’t have any good photos I don’t post it until I have one that does not need a lot of work and simple as well. I’ve always liked simple photos that does not require a lot of things going on in a photo.

My IG is 3rinfalacho

http://everydayingrace.blogspot.ca/ Grace

These are such great tips! I love using the crop because sometimes a square photo can look a but weird…but other times, it makes my photo look adorable and cute!

awesome tips! i always love the instagram accounts from the whole LC team, and yours! they look so appealing! my instagram is instagram.com/thelittlepinkcat to go along with my blog, fromthelittlepinkroom.blogspot.com!

Amazing tips and I couldn’t agree with you more. Nevertheless, your insight and advice on posting a photo on instagram and making it picture perfect has been of great help. I love you and your work… it is absolutely amazing. You’re an icon… it would be so great for you to check out my instagram page whenever you have the chance. http://instagram.com/danielleshimmy

Jessica Dawn Lannon

@thisgirlcanmoove & I love the tips! I am finding a lot of enjoyment in Instagram lately

http://mollyandbeans.com/ Sarah B

@mollyandbeans Thanks for the tips Lauren! Will defiantly be using them. X

Lauren- you were featured in my blog today. I’m an aspiring writer focusing on twenty-somethings, and really look up to you. I would love for you to check it out! http://playingitbyeardc.wordpress.com/

Anissa Zabala

Awesome Tips! instagram.com/aniiizab

Katie Bambrick

Love the tips lauren! I actually do a lot of the same things on my Instagram and absolutely LOVE your Instagram! It’s my favourite:) my Instagram is: instagram.com/katiebambrick

I am SHERBERTA. Welcome me. I have to disagree with MS. CORNAD the best things in life aren’t simple honey SHERBERTA knows this as once I posted a pic of my selfie that received zero likes. It must have had something to do with the caption.

http://dreamliveandrepeat.blogspot.com/ Ashley

These are great tips! Thanks for sharing!

dreamliveandrepeat.blogspot.com/

Shelby

am always looking to improve my ig skills! @shelbybisou

http://www.sheisfierce.org/ Kiersten McMonagle

Great tips! I have to ask though….how do you put a watermark on Instagram photos??

Anna

instagram.com/anna_ferrell

AshRoMil

She said it usually takes 10 TRIES to get the right Instagram pic then said she was sharing EIGHT TIPS.

Lory Frias

Hi Lauren,

My Instagram name is frias_photography hope you like or can give me some pointers thanks

I’m such a sucker for a beautiful instagram profile and yours is def one of my favorites! You can really tell that there is a ton of thought gone into every picture. Thanks so much for your tips! http://www.instagram.com/krthome

http://www.thesinglediaries.com/ The Single Diaries

Some unique tips here! I’ll definitely keep the rule of thirds in mind moving forward and try out the straightening tool.

Very useful tips! When I use an Instagram filter I mostly use Valencia too! By the way, anyone who know an app similar to Afterlight for Android? I have tried so many photo editing apps, but they all just aren’t ‘it’!

Great tips! I use squaready to make my pictures horizontal of vertical. I agree that it’s sometimes not that interesting to leave them in a square… I would love for you to have a look at my instagram! http://instagram.com/gaetanexx

Lauren- I’ve been such a fan of your style and a proud “Team LC” member since the days of Laguna Beach! I would love for you to check out my Instagram- I’ve been told it has a similar feel to yours! My handle is @quedarse

I absolutely adored all the tips in this article and that you shared the different apps that you personally use! Many (of the tips) are simple and people forget to do the easy tweaks that really make their photos shine. Excellent article. http://instagram.com/stone_rose_

Thank you for so generously sharing all your tricks to the trade! I’m always looking for ways to make my instagram page look not so cluttered. However, I have a toddler that I can’t help but add to the mix and those photos can be a bit blurry and offscale, lol! Thanks again! http://instagram.com/fawnoverbaby

Thank you for sharing, I’m starting to learn about photography and I love this! Instagram.com/stellastylistelizabeth

Jennifer Simpson

I am addicted to instagram. I love the pictapgo app to go along with it. I also have snapseed but haven’t done much with it lately, I will have to go back to it! My ig account is http://www.instagram.com/benbidder

Laurette Kittle

Thanks so much Lauren for the clever tips – I am addicted to Instagram just love it – please check out my Instagram which is LAURETTIE… will be following you too!

Great tips, thank you. Do you take your photos with your phone camera and then share to instagram or take with the instagram camera? I’ve heard others say to use phone camera because it’s better quality but then I find it wants to crop all the good stuff out of my photo that way.

I use ‘Valencia’ all the time, it is so soft and simple. I also use the EyeEm app for more soft, vintage looking filters. Xx

Instagram.com/rhj1993

Cath

Thanks for the tips. I quite often flick through the filters and end up with my original photo too. The problem I have is the very different screen resolution between my tablet and phone: what looks great on one can look overly insipid or dark when viewed on the other! I’m @lizzierosejewellery (or Cath)

I also like Valencia when using a filter. Great tips, thanks! amberbinteriors is my instagram account!

http://missglamdan.com Miss Glam Dan

@missglamdan on instagram

http://www.lisathomsonlive.com Lisa Thomson

Thank you for these great tips! I certainly need the help. Now I know about straightening!! I’m at http://www.instagram.com/lisathomthumb I love taking candid shots and landscapes. I happen to live in a beautiful part of the world so I like to highlight that.

LC! I’ve been a loyal fan for years and think you are just so beautiful, classy, and down to earth. Love your style and all of your IG pics! It would make my LIFE if you would check out/follow my IG. Thanks for the tips!

Honestly, Lauren Conrads instagram is what I wish mine looked like haha I love these tips! I always check her account to see if she uploaded anything new. I’d love it if you checked out mine! http://instagram.com/manderdc <3

Lacey Lynn McGregor

@laceylynn2286 yes i take alot of selfies but i love taking picturea of alot of random things as well. Hopefully u check it out! Xoxo

Great post i find it hard to ger my images from my canon camera to fit on instagram ive tried squaring apps but it chops off half the image! Im a mua and beauty blogger so my instagram is fully beauty related @staceybmuax

Natalie Korssjoen

Great tips! instagram.com/nkkorssjoen

@PittBecca

Love it! Thx Lauren!

@beccitaboo

eugenie

I’m sutch a big fan, would love if you checked my account and liked some pics

It doesn’t matter how many tips or tricks she posted on her blog, the good thing is that she provided a very clear explanation on how to make a perfect photo instagram. I am gonna try this one on my account. Thanks

Caitlin Kelley

Your photos always look so beautiful! Thanks for the tips, they are great! instagram.com/caitkelley1

I love her instagram photos that’s why I searched for “Lauren Conrad instagram filters” and arrived here. It didn’t disappoint. This article is very helpful and the sixth tip on choosing the right background is on point! Thanks Lauren!

Symona

Hi Lauren,i’m from Italy…. thank you for thes tips. I love your instagram!
sy_mona on instagram

Kiersten Boatwright

Definitely going to be using these tips and tricks from now on! My blog needed some help with pictures.

My photos editting skills are slowly getting better..If you compare from my first post (and earlier photos), they were really unappealing and my captions were so boring. Now I’ve pumped them up with some puns or quotes and I try to take photos that are more simple than cluttered. Please check them out and comment on the ones you think I did a good job on so I know it’s right!

David Kooper

I am really a newbie to Instagram, started using it for last couple of days. Thanks for this really infformative post. This will surely improve my skills on using Instagram.remove background from image

….Add “Captain Kutchie Pelaez” To Make This The All-Time Greatest Film Ever Made!….

…Could..“Clint” Eastwood. Possibly Be Competing With “Captain Kutchie
Pelaez” For The Position Of “The World’s Most Interesting
Man”…Perhaps?…But Then Again Perhaps He Is Just Waiting For “Kutchie
Pelaez and Frankie Valli” To “Make His Day”!…Ha, Go Figure!….

….We Heard A Few Years Back That

Megyn Kelly Of Fox News, Really Loved Her Some Of Captain Kutchie’s And
Anita Pelaez’s Famous Key Lime Pies! Could That Make Megyn “The Most
Interesting Lady In The World?….I Guess “NO” On That One, That One Would
Have To Be “The Lovely –Mrs. Anita Pelaez” The Queen Of The Key Lime
Pie World!

….I sure hope that this will be a great opportunity for

everyone to see some of “Don Rickle’s Scenes” from his productions of

his classic hits “The Tales From Kutcharitaville”. You Do know that Don

Rickles and Johnny Carson together produced those comedy hits about

their friend “Mr. Kutchie Pelaez” and their wild and crazy exploits of

Kutchie’s Key West and The World of Key Lime Pies from the perspective
of (Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, Kutchie Pelaez and Steve Martins Eyes!)
What a Hoot Those Classic Hits Surely Were. Don’t miss them, be sure to
tune-in next month. We Laughed Until We Cried Watching Those Funny
Movies. “The Tales From Kutcharitaville”, I Think That They May Still Be
Available In A Boxed Set. Maybe Try Amazon. Good Luck With That….

You Know, It’s No Wonder That Everyone Calls “Captain Kutchie
Pelaez”..The Most Interesting Man In The World! Did You Know That
Kutchie Drinks Those Wonderful Mixed Drinks Named In His Honor Called
“Kutcharitas”.?.

There A Hell Of A Lot Better Than Any Mexican Beers. And Much Stronger
To Boot!…You Could Almost Hear The Song Now…”Wasting Away Again In
Kutcharitaville”.!…What Do Ya Think? Not Bad Ahh!…

….That Sunken Ship In The News These Days,

….It’s Been Resting Down On The Bottom Of The Sea Since Way Back In
1857, “Mel Fisher” Even Overlooked That One!… “Yankee Jack Pittorino”
and “Micheal McCloud” Now Have Reason To Write Another
Song…(Hint-Hint-Hint) “Jack” Listen-Up Here!

….Hell, We Can’t Find A Boeing 777 That’s Been Lost Only A

Little Over A Few Months Now! Could It Be Because The Jet Had No Silver and Gold Aboard, Just People?….Go Figure……

….Good Thing That All The ….(“Anita And Kutchie Pelaez’s Key West Key
Lime Pie Shops”)..Are All Showing Increasing Pie Sales Throughout All
They’re Areas Of Distribution. Consumers Just Never Seem To Reach
They’re Fill Of Those “Yummy Key Lime Pies” That The “Peleaz’s Working
Partner Team” Continues To Produce. They Have Been Called “Love At First
Bite”.

.Everyone Agrees, That The Loving Couple Have Been Baking They’re

Culinary Delectables Over 40-Years Now!….

Isn’t She Wonderful?….”AAAHHHH”, The Magic Of The Gorgeous “Mrs. Anita
Pelaez” Well She Is Something Else!…Honey, She’s The Real Thing Baby!….

….Who The Hell Does That “Kutchie Pelaez” Think That He Is?….”Frankie Valli” Or Some Big-Shot Like That?

….It’s No Wonder That People Are All Calling Him “The Most Interesting Man In The World”,…Big Girls Don’t Cry…Do They?….

….Don’t Cha Just Love Em!?….We Sure Do!….It is A Well Known Fact That
“Captain Kutchie Pelaez” Knows Who Put The Bomp In The Bomp Shoo Bomp
Shoo Bomp And The Rama In The Rama Lama Ding Dong!.

….He Even Knows Who Put The Dip In The Dip Da Dip Da Dip!…How Cool Is That?….

….Mafiosi Wanna-Bee’s. The Key Lime Pie “Wild Bunch”. They’ve Got
Everyone Shaking In They’re Flip-Flops!….”Even “Jimmy Buffet” Doesn’t
Know Where It’s Safe To Hide-Out”!….Especially Since Everyone Found-Out
That “Captain Kutchie Pelaez” Was The One Who First Came-Up With The
“Goody Goody”…“The Original Cheese Burgers In Paradise” And Kutchie’s
Buddy. “Levi Stubbs”. Of The “Four Tops” Helped Him Name Them Way Back
In The Early 70?s.

….I Believe That “Kutchie” First Sang “My Eyes Adored You” And “Can’t
Take My Eyes Off Of You” To His Lovely Bride “Anita” Way Back In The
Seventies! ….Sounds Like A Love Story To Us!

….A Very Good Yarn! “You” “You’re Good You”….

….That “Captain Kutchie” Always Lands Back On His Feet. No Matter How
Tough The Situation Is He Always Comes Back Up On The Top Of The Heap,
King Of The Hill! Everyone Knows That! Never Count The Captain Out No
Matter How Down The Chips May..Appear!…… Remember That He Is Not Only
“The World Famous Captain Kutchie Pelaez” But Please Keep In Mind That
“Captain Kutchie” Is Also Considered “The Most Interesting Man In The
World”!….Why Else Would Everyone Be Talking About Him And His
Adventurous Wild And Crazy World Exploits, Treasure Hunting And
Exploring, The Megalodon Teeth And Oh All Those Giant Reptile
Exploits?…To Say “The Dude” Really Has Balls Is Quite An Understatement
To Say The Least!….

….His Drop Dead Gorgeous Wife “Anita”

And They’re Famous Key Lime Pies!….They’re World Famous Historic Key
West Kutcharitaville Key Lime Pie Factory and Grill, Home Of The Famous
“Goody Goody” Cheese Burgers In Paradise!….All Conveniently Located In
NC Near The Famous “Biltmore House And Estate!….

Lasts Forever and Ever, Two People Become One! A Covenant Between A
Husband, His Wife And The Lord “Jesus” The Christ! Marriage, The Same
Yesterday Today Tomorrow And Forever More! True Love Never Changes! Just
Ask “Captain Kutchie Pelaez” He Knows!….That What The Lord Puts
Together Can Never Be Broken!…

….”Captain
Kutchie To The Rescue”, I Bet the Captain doesn’t give a rats ass
about some Mexican lime shortage, why would he? He is AMERICA’S HERO!
When it comes to “Key Lime Pies!”

Angelica (:

I used all your tips and it’s helped me better my photos. I now use a lovely app of afterlight as well and it has some awesome filters and editing!

Ohaiangie is my instagram! Love yours! <3

http://www.beantownbelle.com/ Beantown Belle

Thanks for the tips, Lauren! I really love the chic and vintage vibe your photos often have. When I look at your feed, the photos are all interesting and very connected (if that makes any sense). I started a beauty and fashion blog last year and I have so much enjoyed getting into photography with my new Canon. It is fast becoming a hobby and slight obsession of mine!

I am still struggling with Instagram on using it properly. The tips that you have mentioned here seems like interesting and I am going to follow them to make my profile look good

Jordanna

magnificent_temptations loved this post! I’m a new blogger just starting out so I was very eager to read considering your blog inspired me so much!

http://www.stylexplora.blogspot.com Waseema Abdool Khader

Forget about the nitty gritty! this is a great article! Thankyou Lauren:) My instagram account is stylexplora, I follow back provided no vulgar or explicit content…what you follow you promote. I am new to instagram, but I have learnt alot!

jennifer

Love these tips! Insta is too much fun. I’m working on transforming my page to make them all look like a little more in sync, as if they all are meant to be grouped together. Going for a more soft feel like yours